Bring change to mind is a student-led club sponsored by Emma Waldron and Jessica Griggs, who are both freshman counselors. Bring change to mind is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health and raising awareness, understanding, and empathy. It is a well-renowned organization that has currently reached more than 2 billion people through its advocacy efforts and served more than 8,000 students across the country.
The club has been implemented in many schools and it has finally started up at Warren. This is the only club in our school that is specifically supporting mental health and it has been long overdue.
Students make the majority of the decisions that happen within the club. This year, the group plans on doing things such as charity walks, selling items related to the club. The main goal is just to spread awareness.
Suicide is a serious public health problem among all age groups. But among youth, there is an enormous risk due to the significant years of potential life lost. In 2018, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among 10- to 24 year-olds. Youth suicidal ideation, attempt, and completion are on the rise, and it will continue to grow unless more people choose to educate themselves, support the cause, and advocate for change. Major risk factors associated with suicide among adolescents include lack of a support network, feelings of social isolation, bullying, and many more. But, youth suicide is preventable. Prevention efforts should be aimed at all levels of influence: individual, relationship, community, and socially. Suicide rates for at risk youth can be substantially reduced by: knowing the signs, improving access to mental health resources, and building a stable and comfortable environment with the people you love.
Mental health does not define anyone as a person.
“We are stronger than stigma. you may not be able to control your thoughts, but you can control your actions,” junior Ashlee Miller said.
Anyone who has personal experience with mental illness knows how challenging it can be when you are in a constant battle within yourself and on top of that you have discrimination and judgment around you for speaking out. But this club is the exact opposite. You are encouraged to speak out and they applaud you for not letting your thoughts turn into your actions.
The club is not a counseling session or anything like that. The purpose is just to educate and spread awareness, however, it is nice to find yourself with other people who are maybe like-minded to yourself or just to be somewhere where you feel like the people understand you and don’t invalidate you, Because how you feel is valid. There are so many people in your own school that don’t have an outlet but feel the same. That's why we're here. Every individual who speaks out inspires another. That’s how we’ll end the stigma around mental illness. That’s how we’ll bring change to mind.